The PL Managers
8 min
The PL 2023/24 season is just around the corner, with the action set to get under way on August 11. England’s top tier is widely seen as the best football league in the world and managers from all four corners of the globe aspire to work in it. The following 20 men are fortunate enough to do so this season.
In this article we have run through each Premier League manager ahead of the big kick-off.
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta
Arsenal took a risk when they hired Mikel Arteta in late 2019. He had no frontline managerial experience and was inheriting a side that was low on confidence. The Spaniard did not get everything right from the very start, but he has since shown that he is a top-class coach.
Arteta came into his own last season, creating a team that was more than the sum of its parts. The Gunners challenged for the title, something that no one saw coming.
Aston Villa: Unai Emery
Unai Emery was Arteta’s predecessor at Arsenal. Things might not have worked out at the Emirates Stadium, but there is no doubt that the Spaniard is an astute manager – four EL triumphs attest to that.
Aston Villa are in the ECL this term and Emery’s pedigree and tactical intelligence means they are genuine contenders to lift that trophy. In the league, a top-six finish is the aim.
Bournemouth: Andoni Iraola
Gary O’Neil upset the odds to steer Bournemouth clear of relegation trouble in 2022/23, but that did not prevent him being sacked in the summer. Andoni Iraola, the former leader of Rayo Vallecano, has been appointed in his place.
The 41-year-old is not a familiar name in English football but he has a solid reputation in Spain, where he led Rayo to an 11th place finish in La Liga last time out.
Brentford: Thomas Frank
When Thomas Frank joined Brentford in December 2016 it was as the Championship club’s assistant coach. No one would have thought back then that Frank would be leading the team in the PL six and a half years on.
The Bees are about to embark on their third season at this level. With Frank at the helm, they have every chance of staying put. The Dane is emotionally intelligent and his teams are always hard to beat.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Roberto De Zerbi
When Brighton had Graham Potter poached by Chelsea early last season, some supporters feared the worst. But the club did not panic, appointing Roberto De Zerbi as Potter’s successor. The Italian proceeded to take the team to a new level.
Innovative and bold, De Zerbi was one of the managerial stars of the league last season. His task now is to show that 2022/23 was not a one-off for himself or Brighton.
Burnley: Vincent Kompany
The lure of English football was demonstrated when Vincent Kompany swapped Belgian giants Anderlecht for Championship outfit Burnley last summer. The former Manchester City manager is now back in the top division after a superb season in 2022/23.
Kompany impressed the Turf Moor faithful with his drive and intensity last term. He has promoted an attractive style of play and commands the respect of all his players.
Chelsea: Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino is back in English football following a spell with PSG. Before that, the Argentine was a major success at both Southampton and Spurs, and he will now be aiming to revive a Chelsea side that finished 12th last campaign.
Pochettino has a fierce work ethic and he will create a team that plays with energy and dynamism, something that was lacking at Stamford Bridge under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard.
Crystal Palace: Roy Hodgson
When Crystal Palace dismissed Patrick Vieira in March, few expected they would appoint his predecessor as his successor. But that is exactly what happened – and the decision did not go down well.
However, Roy Hodgson did much better than expected and guided Palace well clear of danger. The oldest manager in PL history is back for another season, where he will be aiming for another mid-table finish at Selhurst Park.
Everton: Sean Dyche
Sean Dyche did a brilliant job in keeping Burnley in the top division year after year. Expectations are naturally higher at Goodison Park than Turf Moor, but avoiding demotion was the aim once again following Dyche’s arrival midway through last season.
His teams are notoriously difficult to beat, with the Everton boss a master at organising a defence and ensuring every player carries out his duties. Dyche has proven that he is a fine operator at this level.
Fulham: Marco Silva
Fulham were among the favourites for relegation in 2022/23, but Marco Silva expertly led the west Londoners to a top-half finish in the club’s first season back in the PL. Fulham played some enterprising football at times, with Silva benefitting from a tight-knit squad.
The Cottagers will be looking to avoid second season syndrome this time around. The Portuguese had mixed success in the top league of England earlier in his career, but Fulham fans are delighted he is at the helm.
Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp is the longest-serving PL manager. The German is now approaching his eighth anniversary as Liverpool manager, during which time he has made the club a major force again.
Last season was a disappointment, though, and Klopp will be focused on getting Liverpool back challenging for silverware again. His tactical acumen and charismatic man-management remain huge plus points.
Luton Town: Rob Edwards
Rob Edwards began last season as Watford manager, but when he was sacked he soon joined their arch-rivals Luton. The Welshman waited little time in making his mark at Kenilworth Road and by the end of the campaign Luton were celebrating promotion to the top flight.
Edwards prefers a direct style of play which was hugely effective in the Championship last season. He knows how to set up a defence too, so Luton should not be underestimated.
Manchester City: Pep Guardiola
Already one of the greatest managers of all time, Pep Guardiola strengthened his credentials by guiding Manchester City to a treble of PL, CL and FA Cup glory in the 2022/23 campaign.
An innovative thinker who sets trends that others follow, Guardiola also possesses the ability to keep his players hungry for more. For as long as the Catalan is in the dugout, City will be title favourites.
Manchester United: Erik ten Hag
Manchester United won their first trophy since 2017 last season, as Erik ten Hag’s side lifted the EFL Cup. They also qualified for the CL, which made for a positive debut campaign for the Dutchman.
Tactically smart with a degree of flexibility, Ten Hag came to prominence at Ajax. He has an excellent track record of improving young players, something that makes him a good fit for a club like United.
Newcastle United: Eddie Howe
Of all the PL managers last season, Eddie Howe arguably did the best job. Few anticipated Newcastle finishing in the top four in their first season under the Englishman, but they exceeded expectations to qualify for the CL.
With his quiet authority and impressive coaching ability, Howe has been tipped as a future England manager. On his watch, Newcastle can continue progressing.
Nottingham Forest: Steve Cooper
After Nottingham Forest’s poor start to the 2022/23 campaign, rumours circulated that Steve Cooper was on the verge of the sack. That prompted an almost universal condemnation from the Forest faithful, a reaction which forced the ownership to change its mind.
Cooper did more than anyone to keep Forest in the top division last season. He favours a counter-attacking style of play with fast breaks forward when the ball changes hands.
Sheffield United: Paul Heckingbottom
Sheffield United suffered play-off heartache in 2021/22, losing to Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals. But Paul Heckingbottom’s side quickly put that disappointment behind them to win automatic promotion last season.
Heckingbottom excels at organising his team without the ball, which makes the Blades tricky opponents. He is big on rotation and will not be scared to switch things up if he needs to.
Tottenham Hotspur: Ange Postecoglou
Eyebrows were raised when Celtic appointed Ange Postecoglou two years ago, but back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles meant the Australian departed Parkhead a hero.
He now brings his stylish, attack-minded style of play to north London, where Tottenham are in need of a revival. Postecoglou’s daring approach will no doubt go down well with the supporters of his new club.
West Ham United: David Moyes
David Moyes was on the verge of the sack at least twice last term, but he ended the season in glory as West Ham won the ECL. That success means he remains at the London Stadium.
Moyes is unashamedly an old-school manager, but that does not mean he is past his sell-by date. In fact, the Scot’s experience is a plus point.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Gary O’Neil
Julen Lopetegui was fired close to the start of the season, and Gary O’Neil has come in to lead the Wolves through the 2023/24 season.
The 40-year-old former Bournemouth manager will have a tough job ahead of him, with a lot of their star players having left the club.
